A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery that reshapes and raises breast tissue to achieve a more youthful, “perky,” and firm appearance. This is achieved by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and in some cases reducing the size of the areola. Breast lift surgery is ideal for those who have experienced breast sagging caused by factors like pregnancy and the natural aging process. For those wanting to increase their breast volume, as well, breast implants can be placed during the breast lift procedure to create more fullness.
As top breast surgeon in Virginia, Dr. Neil J. Zemmel is well-known for his expertise with procedures like mastopexy, augmentation, breast reduction surgery, and more. If you’re considering a breast lift, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, including when it can help, how Dr. Zemmel performs the procedure at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, and what results you can expect. Dr. Zemmel can answer more specific questions during your initial consultation, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask him if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand. While no surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity, mastopexy can “set back the clock” and give a long-lasting result.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are those in generally good health with realistic expectations about what the procedure can help them achieve. While breasts of any size can effectively be lifted, women with smaller sagging breasts typically obtain the longest-lasting results from breast lift surgery. Those with larger breasts may find the weight of their breast tissue causes additional sagging in the future.
Another factor to consider when seeking breast lift surgery is future pregnancies. Many women choose to undergo a breast lift after pregnancy and breastfeeding has led to stretched tissue and reduced volume. While breast lift surgery typically does not interfere with the ability to breastfeed later, Dr. Zemmel often recommends waiting until after you have completed your family to undergo the procedure, as additional pregnancies can compromise your results.
While breast lift surgery can accomplish certain aesthetic goals, it is important to understand what the procedure may or may not be able to achieve, both physically and mentally. Dr. Zemmel thoroughly discusses this information prior to surgery to provide realistic expectations and help patients make a well-informed decision.
Should I Get Implants with My Breast Lift?
A breast lift with implants (augmentation mastopexy) is ideal for women who wish to enhance their breast volume or fullness, in addition to lifting breasts to a more youthful position and removing excess skin. The addition of implants can allow breast lift surgery to produce a better final result when the patient wants to increase their breast size and/or improve symmetry. During the consultation, Dr. Zemmel will perform an evaluation and discuss your unique goals to determine which technique is best suited for you.
What Are the Risks of Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery is considered safe when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. In addition to his certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Zemmel has obtained training in an accredited Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency and has excelled to the highest levels of expertise throughout his over 20 years of surgical experience. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks that you should be aware of.
Rare complications of breast lift surgery including bleeding, infection, and prominent scarring. Although a breast lift does leave noticeable, permanent scars, Dr. Zemmel places incisions in areas easy to conceal with a bra or bathing suit. It’s also important to note that smoking increases the time for complete healing as well as the overall complication rate. Smokers are also subject to wider scars. Dr. Zemmel strongly recommends quitting smoking 4 weeks before and after surgery. The procedure can also leave you with unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts.
To minimize your risk of any complications, you should follow Dr. Zemmel’s pre- and post-operative care instructions closely. You will have multiple follow-up appointments throughout your recovery, as well, allowing him to monitor your healing.
How Should I Prepare for My Breast Lift?
Depending on your age and family history, Dr. Zemmel may require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery. Dr. Zemmel asks for mammograms on all women over the age of 35. You will also get specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.
What Does the Breast Lift Procedure Entail?
Hospital Status: Outpatient
Anesthesia: General anesthesia or deep sedation
Surgery Time: 1 ½ to 3 hours
Incision Techniques: Crescent, donut, or anchor
Your breast lift surgery will be performed in a hospital setting on an outpatient basis. Dr. Zemmel performs the procedure under general anesthesia or under deep sedation with local anesthesia. When general anesthesia is employed, you can expect to be asleep, completely comfortable, and unaware of the surgery. For smaller procedures, Dr. Zemmel may use local anesthesia with sedation. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and should feel no discomfort.
Dr. Zemmel performs mastopexy in one and a half to three hours, depending on the technique. He uses four different techniques depending how much excess skin needs to be removed and how much lifting of the breast tissue is needed. The incision pattern dictates how much excess skin will be removed and allows Dr. Zemmel access to the deeper tissue for reshaping.
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Crescent Breast Lift
In patients who require a small lift of the nipple and areola, a small crescent-shaped section of skin is removed from directly above the nipple and areola. This moves the breast and nipple to a higher position. This procedure uses a small, well-hidden incision directly around the top half of the areola that is hardly noticeable without clothing.
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Donut Breast Lift
Patients who need a larger amount of lift may be candidates for a Benelli (donut, periareolar, or concentric) mastopexy, where skin is removed in a circular pattern around the nipple to tighten the breast skin in all directions and provide an upward lift. This incision pattern goes completely around the nipple and areola and is also well hidden. This technique also reduces the size of the areola.
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Anchor Breast Lift
If the amount of excess skin and sagging exceeds the limits of these techniques, a vertical lift or full-anchor pattern incision may be needed. The vertical lift incision pattern goes around the areola and nipple completely and includes a vertical incision straight down, making a “lollipop” shape. The anchor pattern includes incisions used in a vertical lift plus a horizontal incision located in the crease beneath the breast along the chest wall.
If you’re having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall. Dr. Zemmel closes all breast incisions with fine, absorbable sutures that give an excellent cosmetic result and do not need to be removed.
Dr. Zemmel goes into great detail to advise you on what technique can give you the best results, as well as the pros and cons of each.
What Can I Expect After Breast Lift Surgery?
Dr. Zemmel will personally call you the night of surgery to check in and then see you in the office several days later. Healing is a gradual process. You will need to wear a surgical bra over your dressings at first. You can expect some degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort for the first couple days after surgery. Pain medication prescribed to you should control any feelings of discomfort. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel.
At your first post-operative office visit, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra for three to four weeks. This will provide good support for your breast while the tissues heal and gain strength. You will not be able to do any heavy exercise or lift anything over your head for three to four weeks following surgery. You may be instructed to refrain from sex for a week or longer.
It is normal to experience a slight numbness in your breast skin and nipples, as a result of swelling. This reduction or loss of sensation typically subsides over the first six weeks of recovery. For some patients, this may last for a year or longer and, in rare cases, may be a permanent side effect. Dr. Zemmel will address all of these concerns in regular follow-up visits. He is also available 24 hours a day to address any of your concerns.
What Will My Breast Lift Scars Look Like?
Dr. Zemmel will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. The healing process takes 12 to 18 months to complete. During this time scars will soften and fade, but they often remain bumpy and red for months. They then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops without showing.
How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?
The results from breast lift surgery can last for several years. While the effects of gravity, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations will eventually restart the aging process, the breast lift procedure can give you the more youthful and firmer breast appearance you desire. To help preserve your breast lift results, it is highly recommended to wear a supportive bra, which can help slow the impact of the above effects and ligament/tissue stretching over time. More details will be included from Dr. Zemmel in your post-op care instructions and during follow-up appointments after surgery.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
The average cost of breast lift surgery is $8,000-$9,5000, which includes the surgeon’s fee, surgical facility, anesthesia, and post-operative garments. Other factors that can influence your total cost include the geographic area, expertise of your plastic surgeon, and complexity of your procedure. If breast implants are combined with your breast lift, you can expect to pay between $12,000-$15,000.
Once a surgical plan has been established during your consultation, our team will provide you with a personalized quote for your procedure to help you budget accordingly. If you would like to break your total cost into smaller monthly payments, we accept financing from third-party lenders like CareCredit®.
Complementary Procedures to Breast Lift Surgery
When considering a breast lift, many patients explore additional procedures to enhance their overall results. A mommy makeover, for instance, combines a breast lift with a tummy tuck and liposuction to rejuvenate a woman’s body after pregnancy and childbirth, addressing multiple areas simultaneously. Another popular combination is a breast lift with breast augmentation, which uses implants to increase breast volume while lifting and reshaping sagging breasts for a more youthful and proportionate appearance. For those seeking to reduce the size of their breasts, a breast lift can be paired with breast reduction to alleviate physical discomfort and achieve a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape and position.
By combining these procedures, patients can achieve comprehensive and satisfying results tailored to their specific aesthetic goals. It is essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your individual needs and determine the best combination of procedures for you.
Additional Breast Lift Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Breast Lift Differ from Breast Augmentation?
A breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) can both enhance breast shape, but each surgery has its unique goals. A breast lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to support the new breast contour. It does not significantly alter the size of the breasts. Breast augmentation, on the other hand, involves the insertion of implants (saline or silicone) to increase breast size and improve shape. Both procedures can be combined if a patient desires both an increase in breast size and a lift.
Will I Be Able to Breastfeed After Breast Lift Surgery?
Women are typically able to breastfeed after a breast lift, especially if the nipples and areolae remain connected to the underlying glandular tissue during the surgery. If a woman was able to breastfeed before their surgery, she is typically able to do so afterward. However, the ability to breastfeed can vary based on the surgical technique used and individual circumstances. It is important to discuss your breastfeeding plans with your surgeon during the consultation to understand the potential impact on your ability to produce milk.
Will a Breast Lift Affect Nipple Sensation?
Changes in nipple sensation can occur after a breast lift due to the repositioning of the breast tissue and the potential disruption of nerves during the surgery. Some women may experience increased or decreased sensitivity, and it can be temporary or permanent. In most cases, sensation returns to normal within a few months post-surgery. The degree of change in sensation depends on the extent of the surgery, the surgical technique used, and individual healing processes. Dr. Zemmel uses meticulous surgical skill to ensure minimal trauma to nearby tissues and nerves. He will explain the potential risks of sensation changes with you during your consultation.
Will Insurance Cover Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and is, therefore, not usually covered by insurance. However, if the breast lift is part of a reconstruction after mastectomy or other medically necessary procedures, insurance may cover it. It's essential to check with your insurance provider and discuss the specifics with your surgeon. Our team offers financing options to help manage the cost of the surgery.
If you have any questions about breast lift surgery, or are ready to schedule your consultation with Dr. Zemmel, please contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery today!
